The landslide struck Tuesday night in a mining village in Davao de Oro province on Mindanao island, trapping at least 20 people inside two buses used to transport mine workers, provincial disaster official Edward Macapili told AFP.
At least 28 people were on board the buses when the landslide hit, but eight managed to escape unhurt through the windows before the mud engulfed them, Macapili said.
The buses had been outside a gold mine operated by the Philippine company Apex Mining in Masara village where buses drop off and pick up workers.
Five bodies were pulled from the mud, Macapili said, but it was not clear if they were on the bus.
Another 31 villagers were also injured. Two of them were seriously hurt and were airlifted to a hospital in Davao city for treatment, Macapili said.
Meanwhile, 285 families from Masara and four nearby villages were forced to evacuate from their homes, Macapili said.
Military personnel have been deployed to help in the rescue efforts.
Rain has pounded parts of Mindanao off and on for weeks, forcing tens of thousands into emergency shelters.
Landslides are frequent hazards across much of the archipelago nation owing to the mountainous terrain, heavy rainfall, and widespread deforestation.
The Philippines is regularly ravaged by storms, with scientists warning they are becoming more powerful as the world gets warmer because of climate change.
AMK/PR